…then the past few weeks at the Lobero have been musically very well seasoned. First up was Bronx born Grammy-winning classical pianist Richard Goode, in his fourth CAMA SB appearance, who brought all his highly touted expressiveness and skill to bear in a scintillating concert covering a century of great piano works. Next up and changing gears considerably, two halves of two British folk duos Peter Asher and Jeremy Gordon presented a trip down memory lane laced with personal and funny stories about their careers before and during and after being part of the 60s “British invasion.” Peter Asher was a child actor before he decided he wanted to be just like Buddy Holly and got into the music biz. Following hits with Gordon Waller he became one of the most successful producers with discoveries like James Taylor and Linda Ronstad, and he produced recordings by Diana Ross, Cher, Bonnie Raitt and others. Jeremy Clyde and Chad Stuart had numerous big hits in those heady sixties too, but his first bit of role playing was as a page for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Interesting tidbit (there were many throughout the evening): among the hidden choir boys at the event was Keith Richards. Clyde was also an actor on stage, film and television, his most recent appearance being in an episode of “Downton Abbey.” Rounding out the spice fest, Dorado Schmitt and the Django Festival All Stars, joined by extraordinary musicians Ludovic Beier on accordion, violinist Pierre Blanchard, sons Samson and Amati Schmitt and bassist Xavier Nikq for a rousing, swinging blizzard of amazing playing and a joyful celebration of Django Reinhardt and his distinctive Gypsy Jazz.
